East Texas Business

Lamar Outdoor Advertising announced it will begin displaying new "Blue Alerts" on its digital billboards in Texas.

The state recently created the "Blue Alert" system to help capture suspects when a law enforcement officer is injured or killed in duty. Lamar will use its digital displays to alert drivers when a suspect poses a threat. Lamar also alerts drivers to emergency information such as hurricane warnings and Amber Alerts.

"We have opportunities we've never before had to serve our communities quickly and effectively, and we are proud to serve the citizens of Texas in this way, Dan Noyes, general manager, said in a prepared statement. "Our new technology will get emergency information to people when they need it."

The kickoff luncheon for Leadership Tyler Class 22 is set for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at Marvin United Methodist Church, 300 W. Erwin St.

Robert Danzig, former CEO of Hearst Newspapers will give the keynote address, "Discovering the Leader within You."

Reservations are required and can be made on the Web site leadershiptyler.org, by sending an e-mail to cklein@tylertexas.com or by calling 903-535-9242.

The Texas Railroad Commission issued 2,183 original drilling permits in July compared to 1,854 in July 2007.

The total included 1,934 permits for oil and gas wells, 66 to re-enter existing wells and 183 for re-completions. Permits included 412 oil, 480 gas, 1,254 oil and gas, 41 injection, three service and two other permits.

Operators reported 453 oil, 1,065 gas, 30 injection and five other completions.

Olive Garden restaurants will deliver lunch on Labor Day to police stations and fire departments in the towns they are located as a show of appreciation,

This will be the seventh year Olive Garden has provided a Labor Day lunch for these public service employees, according to information from the restaurant chain.